Key cutting machine



May 3, 1949. BE|$$ER 2,469,027

KEY CUTTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1948 Y 24 h 'g g5 /4 P 4;

INVEITOR F/G.3'- z Patented May 3, 1949 UNITED STATES OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in key cutting machines, and provides a machine which is capable of cutting keys by a code system or by predetermined measurements instead of requiring an original or master key to act as a template.

Conventional key cutting machines are capable of cutting duplicate keys only if there is an original or master key which can be used as a template, while with my invention each key at the time of original manufacture can be given a code number, or the measurements taken and given a serial number, and from which code number a duplicate key can be made at any time. Also, any key now in existence can be coded and given a number, and from that number by reference to the code or measurements a new key can be made at any time without recourse to the original or master key.

This invention involves only the master key holding section of the machine and can be applied to any of the conventional key cutting machines and built into any new machines. The machine can be used in the conventional way, using a master key as a template. or, can be used with the coding device for. cutting the new key without a master key.

The code may consist of any arrangement of numbers, or letters and numbers each indicating the form, position and size of a notch, with certain ones indicating the type of blank, or a certain number may be used to identify a description of the key including all dimensions. From this code or dimensions, a duplicate key can be cut to exact size through the medium of my invention.

The objects and advantages of the invention are as follows:

First. to provide a key cutting machine with which keys can be out without resort to a template or master key.

Second, to provide a machine as outlined with which duplicatekeys can be out also from a master key acting as a template.

Third. to provide a machine as outlined which is easily and quickly convertible for cutting keys either by code or by template.

Fourth, to provide a machine as outlined which is easily adjusted and just as easily used as a conventional key cutting machine.

Fifth, to provide a machine as outlined which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and simple to operate.

In describing the invention reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the invention. shown partly in section corresponding to a line I-I of Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the slide showing the micrometric code gage in its slideway.

The invention replaces the conventional carrier which holds the key blank at one end and, the original or master key at the other end and which is moved manually to cutting position for the blank, and is used with any conventional key cutter of this type and which in one type consists of a turret II which carries an equiangularly spaced series of styluses H formed to. suit the various angularities, depths and widths of recesses or notches at one end, and having a cutter l2 or a saw at the other end for cutting the various types of notches in the key blank and including means for driving the cutter or saw. With this conventional type of key cutter it is necessary to use an original or master key as a template and which is clamped in one template and gauge holder l3 with the blank l4 clamped in the blank holding clamp I5.

In my invention no change is necessary in the blank holding clamp l5 and which consists of a clamp member [6 which is drawn down on the blank M by a screw ll, suitable fillers l8 being provided to properly locate the front face of the blank, the blank holding clamp I5 being mounted on a carrier l9 which is secured on a shaft 20 asindicated at 2| and which shaft is slidable in bearings 22 and 23 on the frame or base 24 of the key cutting machine.

My invention consists in providing a special sliding combined template and gauge holder I3 including a conventional clamp head 25 and clamp screw 26. A special clamp base or slide 2'! is cut back at the outer end as indicated at 28 down to the base level 29 and a groove is formed exteriorly to slidably receive the gauge 30.

This slide has two arms 3| and 32 formed at right angles to each other, one projecting forwardly and the other to the side, the one projecting forwardly having a bearing 33 formed at its extreme end and projecting upwardly, while the one projecting to the side has a bearing 34 projecting rearwardly.

A micrometer 35 specially formed has a journal 36 rotatable in the bearing 33 and terminates in a knurled knob 3'! and is provided with means as to prevent rotation of the sleeve All when the knob 31 is rotated, and has means at M to permit changing of gauges 353, while a second micrometer 42 is anchored against rotation in the bearing 34.

The carrier I8 i provided with a slideway to receive the key 43 formed on the bottom of the clamp base, and a slot 44 is formed downwardly for clamping the key through the medium of the clamp screw 45.

The shoulder gauge 45 is pivoted to the bracket at M, being of conventional form, having specific spacing between its shoulders (not shown) for properly locating the master key and blank in the clamps and is of conventional form.

When a key is to be cut from a master key, the gauge 3% and micrometer spindle M? are completely retracted and the master key is clamped in position and the shoulder gauged by the shoulder gauge 45, in the conventional Way. The blank I4 is likewise gauged and clamped in position, after which cutting is carried out by moving the master key along the stylus I E, the cutter l2 being driven and cutting the blank to the same conformation as the master key.

When cutting by code, the blank M is inserted and clamped in the conventional Way, the micrometer spindle 48 is completely retracted, the clamp base is slid to the right as far as it will go, the proper gauge 30 is inserted and the turret is turned to present the proper stylus I I and which simultaneously brings the proper cutter or saw [2 into position, this information being obtained through the code number or a record, as also the type of blank to be used.

Next the knob 3'! is turned to adjust the gauge 30 for depth of slot, then the micrometer 42 is adjusted to the distance from shoulder to center of first slot. These adjustments are carried out as the carrier 49 is tipped forward or toward the operator, about its pivot 20. The clamp screw 45 is now tightened to clamp the slide 21 in position. It will be noted that the spindle 48 cooperates with an upward projection on the carrier i9 and thus draw the clamp head I3 to the right, in

creasing the space between the gauge 3i) and shoulder 50 on the blank and thus locating the blank for cutting of the notch in proper position. The direction of adjustment can be reversed by placing the micrometer to the left.

With the cutting of this notch completed, the screw 45 is loosened, and the micrometers 35 and 42 are adjusted for the second notch.

Thus, through a code system and the micrometer adjustments, and the turret carrying all necessary types of cutters and styluses, an exact duplicate key can be out even when no master or original key is in existence, it being only necessary to know the code number or dimension and style of key, and, when a master or original key is available, the duplicate key can be cut as easily and quickly as with a conventional key cutting machine.

I claim:

1. In a key cutting machine having a cutter and a stylus and a carrier having key blank clamping and locating means; a gauge for cooperation with said stylus and adjustably mounted on said carrier and including micrometers for adjusting said gauge respectively longitudinally of the carrier relative to the blank for establishing the location of the notch in the blank, and transversely of the carrier for establishing the depth of the notch; a combined master key clamp and slide mounted for longitudinal movement on said carrier and having said gauge slidable transversely therethrough; said micrometers being carried by said slide with one micrometer operating between the carrier and the slide, and the other operating between the slide and the gauge.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1; said carrier including clamping means for clamping said slide in adjusted position, and said key blank clamping means comprising means for selectively clamping a master key in position or for clamping said gauge in adjusted position, at will.

3. In a key cutting machine having a cutter and a stylus, and a carrier including clamping means for clamping a key blank in cutting position; a slide mounted on said carrier for movement longitudinally, a gauge transversely slidable through said slide; means for adjusting said slide longitudinally relative to the key blank, and means for adjusting said gauge transversely relative to the stylus, for establishing the location and depth of cuts in the key blank.

4. A structure as defined in claim 3; said slide including a first support frontally of the slide and carrying a micrometer for adjustment of said gauge transversely, and a second support carrying a second micrometer cooperating between the second support and the carrier for adjusting the slide longitudinally.

5. A structure as defined in claim 4; said slide including clamping means for clamping selectively, a master key to function as a template, or for clamping said gauge in transversely adjusted position; and clamping means for clamping said slide in adjusted position.

6. In a carrier for a key cutting machine having a stylus and a cutter, and key blank holding means on said carrier; means for dimensional cutting of the blank comprising; a slide mounted on said carrier for longitudinal adjustment relative to the key blank holding means; adjusting means cooperating between said slide and said carrier for longitudinal adjustment of the slide for establishing the location of the notch in the blank; a gauge mounted in said slide for transverse adjustment for cooperation with said stylus for establishing the depth of the notch and including adjusting means for said gauge.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,923,164 Roos Aug. 22, 1923 2,329,269 Jacobi Sept. 14, 1943 

